Animal Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a branch of health care that specializes in the health of the spine and joints of the body. The word “chiropractic” derives from the Greek language and translated means “to practice with the hands”. Animal chiropractic involves the adjustment of subluxations of the spinal column, extremity joints, and skull bone junctions called cranial sutures. A chiropractic adjustment is defined as a short lever, high velocity controlled thrust by hand or instrument that is directed at specific articulations to correct vertebral subluxations. A vertebral subluxation is defined as a spinal misalignment or joint dysfunction resulting in neurological or biomechanical dysfunction.

Animal chiropractic evaluation includes obtaining a case history consisting of information from the owner, information from prior veterinary radiographs or laboratory analysis, and information involving previous diagnoses and therapies. Animal chiropractic practice necessitates an examination of the animal patient prior to the adjustment. This examination includes: posture analysis, gait analysis, vertebral and extremity static palpation, vertebral and extremity motion palpation, short leg analysis, radiographic examination, orthopedic evaluation, and neurological evaluation. Information from the case history and the examination are combined to determine the chiropractic adjustments the animal may require. Animal chiropractic care involves management advice as to what is needed to insure proper response to chiropractic care, including rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise.

Animal chiropractic does not dispense medications, perform surgery, inject medications, or attempt to replace necessary traditional veterinary care. Chiropractic is a drug-free approach to pet health care. It deals with the nervous system housed inside the spinal column and with keeping the nervous system healthy for the benefit of all body systems including the musculoskeletal system. (Source: American Veterinary Chiropractic Association)

Services available with veterinary referral only. Dr. Grover is a chiropractic physician, licensed in the care of humans and certified in the care of animals. She has had extensive training in animal chiropractic. Dr. Grover is NOT a veterinarian, and cannot take responsibility for the primary care of animals. If you are interested in animal chiropractic care for your pet, Dr. Grover has procedures for requesting a referral from your primary veterinarian. Contact her for more information, and please book in advance so the necessary referral can be obtained.

American Veterinary Chiropractic Association

Dr. Alissa Grover is certified as an animal chiropractor by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. AVCA certification is awarded to licensed doctors of chiropractic and/or veterinary medicine who have passed a postgraduate program in animal chiropractic accredited by the Animal Chiropractic Accreditation Commission (ACAC) of the AVCA, passed both the written comprehensive and clinical competency examinations offered by the Animal Chiropractic Certification Commission (ACCC) of the AVCA, and completed an internship program. All doctors certified by the AVCA must complete continuing education hours to maintain their certification.

AVCA certified doctors are trained in motion palpation, static palpation, gait analysis, and biomechanics as well as specific adjusting techniques developed just for animals. They use their hands--NOT mallets, two-by-fours, or other equipment--to adjust animals. They are trained to recognize pathology that may cause chiropractic care to be contraindicated. In these cases they work with veterinarians in an attempt to help the animal return to health.